News
A Special Place for Connecticut’s Guinea Pigs
February 22, 2008, 11:46AM MT
By Kelli Banet
How you can help Connecticut's homeless guinea pigs.
How you can help Connecticut's homeless guinea pigs.
By Kelli Banet, Best Friends Network
The sign said, “Free guinea pig with cage.” I walked past the cage (and pig) on a ninety degree summer day. I told myself, “Surely one of the neighborhood kids will talk a parent into that cute little pig.” At 9:30 that night, I started thinking about raccoons and bored teenagers. As I strolled past the house, I noticed that the pig was still there. Since the temperature had cooled to a more reasonable sixty five degrees, and the little pig had food and water, I told myself she would be okay.
The next day, I walked by the house again. She had less hay, the water had a definite green algae tint, and the cage was not-so-clean. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I knocked on the door to find out her story. It was a familiar tale. “We bought her for our daughter,” they said. “She’s tired of her, and we don’t want to take care of her.” Then they added, “Don’t bring her back.”
Caramel Pig came with a 1’X 2’ cage (with about an inch of cedar shavings), a bowl of pellets with small seeds and colorful dried “fruits,” and the aforementioned green water bottle. I jumped on the internet, and began my crash course on guinea pig care. As it turns out, guinea pigs need much more than the minimal existence provided to Caramel by her former family!
The very first website I found was that of “The Critter Connection,” Connecticut’s guinea pig rescue in Durham. The Critter Connection was started in 1994, by Cindy Kuester. The rescue has rehabilitated and rehomed more than 600 guinea pigs! Sadly, there continue to be many families who make impulse purchases in pet stores. After getting their little pig friends home, they discover that they demand more attention, space, and financial resources than anticipated when looking at that cute little face in the tiny cage. Cindy has taken in malnourished and neglected pigs found abandoned in boxes outside animal control facilities, running loose in apartment buildings, seized from hoarders, and far too many “loss of interest” animals.
The pigs are kept in spacious (huge) and immaculately clean cages, where they mingle and bond with other (same sex or neutered) animals. Along with her adoptables, Cindy keeps close to a dozen “sanctuary pigs.” Some of these animals have medical problems that need daily monitoring. Others have had such traumatic beginnings that Cindy has assumed responsibility for them, so that they can live out their lives in comfort and happiness. One such pig is Elvis, a Peruvian guinea pig with chronic sinus problems. Elvis’s sinus troubles are the result of being kept in crowded, filthy conditions with 300 other pigs at a “breeding” facility.
During my online journey, and subsequent visit to The Critter Connection, I learned that guinea pigs are tiny critters with some very specific requirements.
Food: Guinea pigs need a high quality pellet, without any seeds, fruits, or nuts. Adult pigs (over a year old) should be fed a timothy based pellet that is formulated with vitamin C. Guinea pigs do not produce their own vitamin C, so it is critical that they are fed an appropriate diet. Many pellets are alfalfa based. While juvenile and pregnant guinea pigs need the extra calcium present in alfalfa based pellets, it can cause bladder stones in adult pigs. For the same reason, adult pigs should be provided with high quality timothy hay, available at all times. Guinea pigs also need between one and two cups of fresh, clean vegetables per day. Romaine lettuce, a baby carrot, a piece of apple, red pepper, and cucumber (without seeds) are all good low-calcium veggie choices.
Water: Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Water bottles should be cleaned and replaced daily.
Cages: Bigger is much better! Remember, a pig spends much of his day eating, sleeping, and pooping in this space. The tiny cages sold in pet stores are not large enough for guinea pigs to run, hide, and exercise. The minimum amount of acceptable space for one guinea pig is about 30”x 36”. Many guinea pig enthusiasts create their own cages from coated wire storage cubes and coroplast (for a waterproof floor base).
Bedding: Guinea pigs have delicate respiratory systems. Cedar shavings should never be used as bedding because the aromatic oils can be very damaging. Common bedding for guinea pigs includes kiln dried pine shavings, processed paper products, and even fleece or towels. Pigs love “cozy cups” and “teepees” generally marketed as ferret accessories.
Health: Guinea pigs don’t get sick often, but when they do, it is usually life threatening. Guinea pigs are prey animals, and therefore don’t show symptoms of illness until it has reached epic proportions. Not all veterinarians are trained and equipped to handle these tiny creatures. Establish a relationship with a qualified vet ahead of time, and know where to go in the event of an emergency. Typically there is a window of just hours in which to treat your pig.
Handling: Guinea pigs need daily handling and socialization, as well as time outside of the cage for exercise and exploration. They are best kept with companion pigs, although introducing “strangers” is a careful and time-consuming process. There are many bonded pairs available from rescue settings like The Critter Connection.
I had Caramel for a little over a year. Despite the fact that she was never very people-friendly, she had a good (albeit short) remainder of her life. Unfortunately, she passed over the rainbow bridge due to what the vet suspected was a virus. After mourning her passing, I decided I wanted to continue to help these little animals. I took in two foster pigs, Summit and Harmony, from the Critter Connection. They live in an enormous pig palace, and provide hours of entertainment to me, and my cats and dog.
For more information:
Guinea Lynx provides extensive information on the care, feeding, and medical management of guinea pigs: http://www.guinealynx.com/
Cavy Cages provides extensive information about purchasing and creating an appropriate, safe, and stimulating home for your little friend: http://www.guineapigcages.com/
How you can help:
The Critter Connection is always in need of volunteers and donations. Please visit their website at: http://www.ctguineapigrescue.com/
They also have an online store that sells all kinds of cute, guinea pig themed merchandise: http://www.zazzle.com/ctguineapigs
Photo credits: Elvis, Cindy Kuester, Caramel, Kelli Banet